A Choral Holiday

by TAMMY MARSHALL & r & & r & & lt;span class= "dropcap " & C & lt;/span & hristmas is a season when art and culture flourish. People who normally save their weekends for relaxation tromp out of their colorfully lit, tree-decorated homes and experience their communities with a different perspective. Maybe it's the dreariness that lingers outside -- or maybe the season of giving truly inspires people to try new things. All across Spokane and Coeur d'Alene, music reverberates as a reminder of the season -- and of the spirituality that most reserve for these special holidays.

The Whitworth Choir and Whitworth Women's Choir will hold a Christmas festival concert titled "Journey to Bethlehem" on Dec. 7-8. The deeply spiritual concert will have readings from both poetry and scripture. The two choirs will sing traditional Christmas music from around the world with special guest soloists Scott Miller, Francis Paulen and Bonnie Robinson. The concert will end with the aisles lighted by candles to enhance the Christmas spirit. It will all create, says Director of Choral Activities Marc A. Hafso, "a quiet and heartwarming ending to the concert."

On Sunday, Dec. 9, some not-so-sacred and sacred music will be sung by the Celtic Nots along with the St. Ann's Choir. The traditional Irish music that the Celtic Nots are so locally famous for will begin the concert, with the second half focusing on Christmas carols. In addition to Christmas music, the choir and the Irish band will sing Advent music, which reflects the Catholic tradition of preparation on the four Sundays before Dec. 25. Admission is free, but barrels will be set out to collect food for the Second Harvest Food Bank, and a hat will be passed during the concert to collect money for the East Central Community Lunch Program, which offers a free hot lunch for community members on Sundays after church services.